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Player ratings: Relieved

Sat, 22 Jun 2013 12:36

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 23-21 in a tight Test match in Brisbane in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Lions got let off the hook a few times but they managed to hold off a charge from the Wallabies well and win an entertaining affair.

Nick Tatham rated the Lions players!

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Proved that he is the best fullback in the Lions squad. Kicked well from the tee and was unflappable at the back. Solid as you can get and really deserves the credit he gets.7/10

14 Alex Cuthbert
Knocked on a kick in the first-half but made up for it with a top try. A great individual break and ran past Hooper - the make-shift centre. Well executed move and he had a bit to do but shrugs off a few tacklers to score. Otherwise was quiet but only needed one moment to make the difference.7/10

13 Brian O'Driscoll
Gave away a few penalties early on in the game and needed a bit of time to get into the game. Showed a glimpse of what he can do towards the end of the first-half when he put Davies away with a great pass.6/10

12 Jonathan Davies
Was very solid and was prominent on attack and defense. Always thought that he was going to break the game open but did not get the opportunity late in the game.6/10

11 George North
Scored a great individual try when he stepped a few players and went over in the corner. Did his job and will always be dangerous with ball in hand.6.5/10

10 Johnny Sexton
Really grew into the game in the second-half. Was a bit suspect in the first 40 minutes but his kicking was pin-point and controlled the game well even though he was not very prominent. In a big Test match your flyhalf needs to stand up and he did.7.5/10

9 Mike Phillips
In the first Folau try he didn't seem to be too interested in defending. Was outplayed by Genia and did not look nearly as good as he was in 2009.5/10

8 Jamie Heaslip
Was very quiet and when we did see him he was giving away possession or penalties. Did not build on his good Lions tour in 2009.5/10

7 Sam Warburton (captain)
Really did not stand up in such a massive game. Spent a lot of time as a spectator. Contentious decision to keep him in the starting XV.4.5/10

6 Tom Croft
Played a solid blind-side flanks game. Carried the ball well and added a lot the play off the ruck.6.5/10

5 Paul O'Connell
Age is not an issue. He was massive around the pitch and did his job in the tight. Scrummed well and won his line-outs and his experience was a huge asset.7/10

4 Alun Wyn Jones
Another experienced lock forward and was really good in keeping the ball in the tight exchanges.6/10

3 Adam Jones
Did his bit at the scrum and was rucked well. Was not seen much around the field but that is what you want from your tighthead prop.5/10

2 Tom Youngs
Threw well into the line-out and scrummed solidly. Carried the ball solidly and mad some telling tackles. Was solid and the ocassion was not too much for him.6.5/10

1 Alex Corbisiero
Scrummed well and won a few penalties but was caught out wide when Foalu scored his second try. Gave away an important penalty in the second-half as O'Connor closed the gap to five points.5/10

Replacements:

16 Richard Hibbard (on for T. Youngs, 65th minute)
Got around the park but did not make an impact off the bench.5/10

17 Mako Vunipola(on for Corbisiero, 51st minute)
A massive mistake close to the end of the game. Came into the side of the ruck but got lucky when Beale missed the kick at goal. Was poor in the scrum and got a lesson from Slipper.4/10

18 Dan Cole(on for Jones, 51st minute)
Really did not make an impact when he came off the bench. The Lions needed him to control the scrum and he was not able to do it and put pressure on his side.4/10

19 Geoff Parling(on for Jones, 71st minute)
Not enough time to be rated

20 Dan Lydiate(on for Croft, 72nd minute)
Not enough time to be rated

21 Ben Youngs(on for Phillips, 62nd minute)
Was better than Phillips but was also out-played by Genia.5/10